The Labor enquirer., 1887-06-18
sworryw s.A "insss".ry."

The closing years Of the nincteenth cen
tury seems 10 be bearing afreedom-loving
spirit to the world. Thsy protest against
this slavery Of condition and ask for free
dom. Can any one tell how this may bs
realized without allowing the workers to
become their own employersi Has not
the Chicago lockout proven beyond all
doubt that the worker cannot be secure in
life, cannot have the first requisites Of
liberty as long as they are dependent on
class for existences
Labor unions have modified 10 some ex-
tent the greed Of employers and made the
lot Of the wage-worksr more tolerable In
many particulars. But now the bosses
ask for an entire Reorganization Of the
unions. The bosses Of Chicago in their
late conspiracy emphasize the fact that
this half way freedom to demand better
ssrms cannot be endured. One side or the
other must surrender. Capital must COM
pletely subjugate labor or labor must fully
control capital. Any other condition Is
but condition OF war and cannot be per-
manent for II Is not normal. :
Listen to the capitalistic strikers talk
taken from their press reports 1T has
had TO come said prominent builder.
We rere tired Of being uo,risd. We could
never tell where We stood nor what We
were doing. Everybody in the building
business was In the same fix. Material
men we're just as badly Oft, and at the last
meeting Of the executive board (of the
capitalistic conspiracy it was decided
that the next strike would settle the
thing one way or another-settle it for
keeps"
Joseph Downing, president of the
builders and traders exchange said; ave
are tired this uncertainty. II has got to
stop this time. Fully 10000 men will lay
down their tools with a strong probability
of not having an opportunity of using
them again in this city for months. Many
poor man will earn tomorrow his last
days pay for long time"
Another one expressed the determine
tion that every union in Chicago must
disband.
This is the focus TO which the disaffec-
tion Is drifting. Organized capital COM
PEELED labor to organize. They in turn
stimulated the capitalists to a still
closerorganization. Whatever may be
the outcome OF this particular strike
OF the bosses IL comparatively un-
impor tant, but IL is an index to
the future. A deadly combat for exter-
mination is as sure to develop in the fu-
turc rs the present warning attitude of
the master and the slave Is continued.
We hear none Of the capitalissic howl
about stopping business" interfering
with men who want to work." promoting
public disorder" "inviting riot" ETC., etc,
ad naseum which filed the capitalistic
press when the workers went ON strike,
either to get wages enough to live, or sus-
tain the right of citizenship, the right to
organize. Oh, no; the tone is rather that
of satisfaction that the laborers were
about to receive good chastisement for
their restlessness!
The spirit of the venal press is re-
markable thing. The capitalists are pal
lated in their subversion Of public order
because they have grievance. They are
''being Worried" they are tired Of this
uncertainty" Poor fellows! In their
pilded offices, with velvet carpets and
French plate glass windows and furui-
of surprising elegance, with all conven-
fences amid wonders OF artistic decora.
tion, the poor men are worried" OF
course they should be upheld in inaugu-
rating a strike, paralyzing the business
centre Of continent and driving starving
men 10 revolution and dynamite. The
poor fellows are worried as some small
portion of their princely profits may at
any time be put in jeopardy by the rest
less working people.
In their princely palaces at home, feast
ing three times day and oftener II re-
auired, on the dainties and luxuries from
the four quarters Of the globe; reclining
in their extravagantly equipped drawing
rooms surrounded with most beautiful
pictures, sculptures, lace curtains, musi-
cal instruments and all the trappings and
furnishings of luxury and wealth; sur
rounded with their families, well fed, well
clothed, well housed, well introduced into
society, well provided for in every mate
rial way, with access to all the theatres,
lectures. and wonders Of music, art or
science; surrounded with servants male
and female to attend to their every whim,
passion or taste legitimate or illegitimate;
poor fellows! They say, 1--WE are tired OF
this uncertainty. II has got to stop this
time. 10000 men must lay down their
TOOLS OF course the poor fellows are
justified in precipitating the country in
anything-iust think Of their grievances.